Chapter 1322: Borrowing Grain? I'll Give You Someone (Part 2) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]
"Absolutely true?" Shen Tang had just confirmed the grain loan at the court meeting, and Zhai Le received the confirmation on the afternoon of the third day. Of course, it wasn't because Zhai Le's communication and intelligence network was particularly powerful; it was simply because Shen Tang himself had transmitted the message through an avatar.
Upon receiving the news, Yu Hai could no longer remain seated.
He rushed over immediately to inquire whether it was true or not.
Zhai Le was holding a fake letter in his hand: "Of course it's true. If you don't believe me, Gui Long can see for himself."
He handed over the secret letter.
Yu Hai was skeptical, but he read it quickly, afraid of missing a single key word. He carefully considered each word, then paced back and forth in the tent, hesitant and undecided, muttering to himself, "Something's not right, this is really not right."
Zhai Le also felt that something was not right.
"...Such a long grain transport route, a round trip would take an unknown amount of time, the land route is fraught with danger, and the amount of grain lost is unknown..." Delivering one shi (a unit of dry measure) of grain to Qu State might consume thirty or forty shi of manpower and animal power on the round trip. Zhai Le has carefully studied the grain transport routes between the two places. If Kang State can capture the most important ports in the southwest, perhaps they can reduce the costs somewhat.
However, there aren't many.
Zhai Le was prepared that Shen Tang would refuse to lend grain, or would haggle and lend less. The two countries were too far apart, which was an unchangeable objective fact, so he wasn't surprised that Shen Tang used it as an excuse. What surprised him was that Shen Tang actually agreed.
Yu Hai said, "Can't she see that this is a test?"
That can't be possible, can it?
If everyone else is a pig, then Qi Yuanliang is no exception.
Zhai Le didn't want to dwell on this issue any longer; being able to borrow grain would be ideal and would greatly alleviate the pressure he was under. Qu State's entry into the civil war itself faced numerous obstacles within the court, but with his military power, those opponents were powerless to stop him.
These people no longer voice their opposition, but they can still subtly create obstacles in small details, silently expressing their protest.
These details wouldn't get them killed, but they were giving Zhai Le a real headache. Their typical tactic was to deliberately dawdle, always complaining of a headache or a cold, and never finishing anything today if they could put it off until tomorrow.
The grain harvested last autumn was not cleared out until after the New Year.
The accounts were meticulously prepared, with not a single mistake.
Zhai Le needs grain, and it will definitely be delivered on time, but it's always right at the last minute. Zhai Le isn't exactly a patient person to begin with, and after a while, he started to get really angry.
He questioned the officials in charge, who then complained of poverty. The national treasury was already under great pressure, and instead of restoring agriculture at a time when the emperor should have been recuperating, he decided to launch a military campaign against the central region.
There is a severe shortage of young and middle-aged laborers in China.
With every household lacking labor, the burden of working in the fields naturally fell on the shoulders of other family members. The labor efficiency of the elderly, weak, women, and children was too low, which severely hampered the government's tax collection progress. If tax revenue couldn't be collected, his own situation would naturally be affected as well.
Even a skilled cook cannot cook without rice.
He also wanted to do his utmost to support his lord and share his burdens, but reality wouldn't allow it; he couldn't conjure up grain out of thin air!
All he could do was keep urging his subordinates to deliver within the deadline, so as not to delay his lord's important affairs. If allies could lend some money, the pressure on his own country would be much less. Whether Kang could provide any was not their concern...
The allies will find a way to solve it themselves.
Of course, the master can also strip himself completely.
Zhai Le himself wouldn't do that. He knew perfectly well that the other party's starting point was also for the sake of Qu State, but the policies and strategies between the ruler and his minister were completely different. The current situation was already one where the other party had compromised; otherwise, they wouldn't have just been dragging their feet.
Zhai Le understood the implied meaning.
Borrowing grain served three purposes: first, to test the remaining strength of the Kang Kingdom; second, to quell the doubts and conflicts within the Qu Kingdom; and third, to reduce the pressure on Zhai Le. Adhering to the principle of "better to die than to die myself," Zhai Le immediately wrote a letter to Zixu.
The information was transmitted from Zixu to Shen Tang himself, maximizing information efficiency.
Zhai Ledao said, "As long as it's not a bad thing for us, that's good."
Yu Hai estimated the approximate arrival time of the grain convoy. If all went smoothly, they would arrive before summer. Qu Kingdom's harvest this year remained stable, so there was basically no need to worry about the next two years. His mood improved: "My lord should ask again when and where to go to meet them. The news should not be leaked for the time being, lest the central region take the opportunity to intercept the grain."
That's what I'm most worried about.
If the enemy anticipates and blocks our advance, wouldn't that just be supplying them with provisions? Regardless of which supply route Kangguo plans to take, Yu Hai hopes Kangguo will inform them truthfully so they can prepare accordingly. The two sides shouldn't fall out now.
Zhai Ledao: "Hmm."
Yu Hai added, "It would be best to bring some more people."
Zhai Le paused, his hand still holding the pen he was about to use to write a letter: "Manpower?"
"According to intelligence from foreign agencies, the Southwest is about to collapse... Shen Youli probably hasn't brought this up with you, and she wouldn't dare to, for fear that you would urge her to send troops. It doesn't make sense for us to help her contain the Central countries while she secretly recuperates."
Borrowing grain and people are all tests, which will only drag down the national strength of Kang.
Zhai Le realized what he meant and picked up his pen to add, "Okay."
In reality, whether or not reinforcements are sent makes little difference, as the troops protecting the grain supply line already require a considerable number of men. Yu Hai had Zhai Le mention it as a precaution; once the grain transport troops arrive, Zhai Le can easily detain this elite force and send them to the battlefield. Whether they achieve great deeds or are used as cannon fodder, it doesn't matter if the Qu Kingdom's own resources are at stake.
This is a cold, unseen knife.
It was a perfectly legitimate and open scheme, and Shen Tang couldn't even refuse it.
This battle wasn't part of Qu's plan. Qu intervened because of Kang, meaning Kang should have been responsible for it. Isn't it only natural for Kang to send troops? Their elite grain transport troops are already at the front lines; since they're here, let's fight.
Going back would be like taking off your pants to fart – pointless.
Shen Tang truly couldn't refuse.
Upon receiving the letter, the avatar Zixu clicked his tongue and said, "If I were even slightly sane, wouldn't I have been tricked to death by Xiaofang's move?"
The food supplies were given out, and the troops were wiped out.
Xiahou Yu: "This scheme was definitely devised by Yu Hai."
Through his extensive network of connections, Xiahou Yu gradually came to understand the kind of people Zhai Le's trusted advisors, led by Yu Hai. He had to be extremely cautious about cooperating with the Qu Kingdom, fearing that Yu Hai might unexpectedly dig a huge pit for them, burying them alive.
The avatar rubbed his slightly prickly head: "It doesn't matter who did it, the bait is strong and the hook is straight, don't fall for it!"
Xiahou Yu asked, "Does the lord intend to refuse?"
Wouldn't refusing now be going back on your word?
The Qu Kingdom will not give up.
Zixu chose a wig, put it on, and looked at himself in the mirror.
To be honest, once you get used to wigs, they're pretty good. They allow for a variety of everyday hairstyles and makeup looks, saving you the trouble of getting up early and sitting for an hour to wash and style your hair. You can have different hairstyles just by putting one on and taking it off. For over ten years, except for special occasions when I might do a slightly more complicated updo, I usually just grab my hair and put it in a high ponytail. What a waste of that Nuwa graduation project!
The avatar Zixu had been trying to persuade the original to shave her head for a long time, but the original refused: "Refuse? How can I refuse? The grain transport troops are already on their way, we can't just change our orders every now and then."
"Already on the road? So fast?"
In just a few days, we haven't even had enough food and manpower to prepare.
Or are those colleagues in Kangguo truly all wicked people?
"So fast? Not fast at all. Two or three hundred people, do you think you can drag this out for a few days?" The avatar Zixu rubbed perfume on his hands and used it as styling gel to scratch his stray hairs. "Zikuan, help me write a letter in reply, saying that we agree to Xiaofang's requests and let him wait for the grain harvest."
Let Zhai Le witness the speed of Kangguo.
Xiahou Yu asked in confusion, "Two or three hundred people???"
How much grain can two or three hundred people escort?
Did Your Majesty round down the amount of grain borrowed from Qu Kingdom by two zeros?
The avatar of Zixu smiled and said, "You'll find out then."
At the same time, Wuyou gave Gongyang the same answer: "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated. You will know when the time comes."
"...Sometimes I really want to report this to the authorities."
Unfortunately, the government office was run by Shen Tang, so they had no choice but to give up.
The charlatan said, "Report to the authorities? Hiring children is child labor. What should someone your age call that?"
Gongyang Yongye: "..."
It was an accident that he would encounter the annihilation here.
This story begins not long ago when Miao Ximin went to Yuanfu County to take up his post. Xiang Zhao entrusted his great-grandfather to Chu Shangjun, and with no more worries, he also left. Gongyang Yongye could only follow suit.
He had a premonition as soon as he set off.
On this trip, he was to be used as a free bodyguard by Kang Guochen Youli.
Miao Ne arrived in Yuanfu County early, carrying his appointment document without prior notice to the county government. As expected, the situation was far from optimistic. Miao Ne needed to contact various parties and further maneuver if he wanted to regain control of Yuanfu County. His immediate priority was to gather manpower and assemble a reliable team, so he immediately went to his neighbors.
The previous prefect of the neighboring prefecture was her close classmate.
She had asked her classmates for several letters early on.
With these letters, we can definitely get the person to come out.
Unfortunately, man proposes, God disposes. Upon arriving in the neighboring prefecture, Gongyang Yongye informed him of something: "You're being watched."
[Friend or foe?]
Neither enemy nor friend.
There was no malice, but there was no goodwill either.
Miao Ne: [???]
With Gongyang Yongye around, she wasn't worried at all—Miao Ne hadn't expected that the fellow disciple she had casually acquired would have such connections!
They were proven wrong that very night.
[You...it's you—Li Wan!]
How could it be Li Junquan?
Wenxin, a scholar, was known for her exceptional memory, especially since this was her old nemesis from a school brawl. Miao Ne recognized the mature woman before her almost instantly—it was her old enemy. Thinking of their past feud, her expression shifted repeatedly. She couldn't speak for others, but Li Wan might try to trip her up.
Lee Wan's smile twisted: "[Long time no see, Miao Ximin.]"
She almost thought she had mistaken someone for someone else in broad daylight.
Miao Ne subconsciously took a step back, her fingers gripping the door frame, her other hand pressing on the hilt of her sword, as if a hedgehog had all its quills popped out.
Li Wan didn't expect her to react so strongly.
(His smile faded) [This is boring, not like you.]
Even the troublemaker who would confront someone after school at the slightest disagreement chickened out.
Miao Ne is flexible and adaptable: [How about we change the location and you take another look?]
Li Wan: [...]
Their mutual friends also wanted to see what would happen, so they deliberately didn't tell Miao Ne who was in charge of the neighboring county, but gave Li Wan a spoiler in advance, just to see if the two would start fighting when they met again.
A direct confrontation was out of the question. Li Wan had also received word that Miao Ne was on a crucial mission, and that a highly skilled individual was accompanying her: "The person you requested, I've already taken care of."
Miao Ne suspected that she was hallucinating.
Li Wan was amused by her suspicion that "unsolicited kindness must be for ulterior motives": "I entered officialdom earlier than you, and after years in the bureaucracy, I know what is right and wrong. Even if you make a mistake, I won't."
Considering the benefits she had received, Miao Ne didn't hold it against her.
With Li Wan's help, the seven-day trip was completed in just one day. Before leaving, Li Wan sent a message to Miao Ne: "The situation in Yuanfu County is complicated; don't lose your life."
Miao Ne's predecessor was nearly assassinated and lost his life.
With her taking office, the danger will only increase.
Miao Ne could imagine Li Wan's awkward expression just from hearing the retelling.
Gongyang Yongye glanced at the group behind him. They had come with a light entourage but left laden with spoils. For Li Wan, a newcomer with no family background or support, it was quite an achievement to have so many people.
So, Gongyang Yongye asked: "Are you two having an affair?"
Miao Ne was astonished by Gongyang Yongye's terrifying thought process, and said awkwardly, "[I almost crippled her hand when I was a student...]"
The conflicts between students are nothing more than those.
Li Wan entered school later than her, and was a year younger than her.
At that time, the college was small and had few students. Students followed the course schedule, and students from different grades might be in the same classroom. Students also formed small groups, and conflicts naturally arose between different groups. At first, these were not irreconcilable conflicts, but rather minor issues such as grades or other trivial matters.
Miao Ne had forgotten why she had fought with Li Wan.
All she remembered was that Li Wan, her junior, was quite arrogant and conceited. She became inflated with confidence after achieving some success. Miao Ne deliberately tried to intimidate her, and even though she knew Li Wan had an archery test the next day, she almost broke Li Wan's right arm.
What deep-seated grudge could there be?
[Students never know their own strength.] Miao Ne felt guilty, vaguely recalling how it all started. [She provoked me first! They say they're students, but they've all built a solid foundation in cultivation; this injury is nothing. Didn't she almost blind me too?]
The blade almost grazed his eyelid.
We're even, neither of us owes the other anything.
Gongyang Yongye didn't delve into it; he was just listening to the excitement to pass the time—the female ruler of Kang was indeed very different from those elsewhere. At least in other places, such stories of classmates' grudges and reconciliations would only happen between two men.
Putting new wine in old bottles can also create a unique flavor.
Miao Ne was eager to deal with Yuan Fujun.
Gongyang Yongye didn't care what she did, but she was cunning and always took Xiang Zhao with her wherever she went, which made it impossible for him to have any peace and quiet. He could only follow her from a distance. Then, he discovered a lone figure who shouldn't be there.
The incarnation of Shen Tang, who stirs up trouble in the southwest.
Gongyang Yongye thought she was there to clean up the mess in Yuanfu County, but it turned out she was just passing through and wouldn't reveal her destination.
He figured he was probably going somewhere to cause trouble.
The day before, they sent away the illusory being, and the next day, Gong Xichou and his group of two or three hundred people arrived, looking travel-worn. Gongyang Yongye thought they were some suspicious people, but upon closer inspection, he realized they were his enemies.
|ω`)
Horrifying! I glanced at the calendar and realized that in just 11 days it will be 25 years! Oh my god!
(End of this chapter)
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